The Alma Ata Declaration affirming the role of Primary Health Care in achieving ‘Health for All’ has had significant influence on the education of health professionals. One of the most significant is the introduction of community based /oriented educational programs both at the undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
In the Philippines, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) requires all health profession education courses to have a community based or community rotation subjects. These subjects range from one week to as long as six months rotation.
Research in health professions education affirms the role of early community exposure in developing positive attitude towards patients, good interpersonal skills.
However, while community based education has been institutionalized, there are not enough teacher prepared to manage community based education programs.
Successful implementation of community based education requires a cadre of health professions educators who are not only expert in their chosen health professions but are also equipped with competencies needed to design, implement, and evaluate community based education courses for students in the health professions.
- Manager: Nemuel Fajutagana